Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Shortage Inaccuracies: Collaborating to Set the Record Straight

Abstract

Although the shortage of family and consumer sciences (FCS) teachers has been documented in the literature for over ten years (Werhan & Way 2006; Werhan 2013), government data documenting areas of teacher shortage do not always include the need for FCS educators. The omission of such data may impact awareness of the shortage, recruitment efforts, and financial aid opportunities for college students. This paper seeks to explain how this incongruity may occur and provides suggestions for individuals to press for authentic data.